Exercise device

Abstract

Adjustable variable length tracks have one end supportable on a supporting surface. An adjustable variable track elevator is foldably affixed to the opposite other end of the track and supports the other end of the tracks at a selected distance above the supporting surface thereby supporting the tracks in angular relation with the supporting surface. A carriage is movably mounted on the tracks for supporting a user in generally seated or reclining or prone position. A foot rest is mounted on and extends between the tracks in the area of the other end thereof whereby a user seated on the carriage presses his feet against the foot rest and propels himself against his own weight along the tracks via the carriage and by use of every major muscle group in his body thereby exercising such muscles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise device.

Various in-place exercise machines provide beneficial exercise of different muscles of the body of the user. An example of such an exercise machine is a rowing maching having frictionally restrained oars. Another example of such a machine is a weight and pulley apparatus affixed to a wall. The user grasps handles connected to cords in order to move weights affixed to the cords up and down. There are many other machines in this category. The major disadvantage with most equipment of the aforedescribed type is the permanency of the installation usually required. The equipment is usually heavy and cumbersome and likely to be expensive in initial cost and installation. When weights are included in the apparatus, such weights add to the expense size, permanency and weight of the device. In some equipment, the user pulls or rows against his own weight. Such equipment avoids the need for permanent installation on a floor or wall. Known equipment is heavy, cumbersome, bulky and awkward and difficult to move or handle due to size, shape and weight.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an exerciser of light weight, which is inexpensive in manufacture and transportable and portable with convenience and facility.

An object of the invention is to provide an exerciser of simple structure which is assembled and disassembled with facility, convenience and rapidity.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exerciser which is utilizable with facility and ease by people of all ages, sizes and weights to perform a great number of body exercises.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an exerciser which has maximum versatility and requires no permanent installation or installation of any kind and no maintenance.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an exerciser of suitable size, weight and bulk to make it storable and transportable with minimum effort and maximum convenience.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exerciser which is disassembled and assembled with ease by anyone, with or without mechanical skills and is storable in a minimum space and installed in the same manner as a lawn chair by placing it on a supporting surface.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an exerciser on which a user exerts muscle force against the weight of his or her own body by pulling and propelling his or her body along an inclination via a carriage thereby exercising every major muscle group in the entire body.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an exercise device comprises an adjustable variable length track device having one end supportable on a supporting surface and an opposite other end. An adjustable variable track elevating device is foldably affixed to the other end of the track device and supports the other end of the track device at a selected distance above the supporting surface thereby supporting the track device in angular relation with the supporting surface. A carriage is movably mounted on the track device for supporting a user in generally seated, reclining or prone position. A foot resting device is mounted on and extends between the track device in the area of the other end thereof whereby a user seated on the carriage presses his feet against the foot resting device and propels himself against his own weight along the track device via the carriage and by use of every major muscle group in his body thereby exercising such muscles.

A cord device comprises a length of cord having a substantially center point removably affixable to either the carriage or the foot resting device. Each of a pair of handles is affixed to a corresponding one of the ends of the length of cord for grasping by the user. Each of a pair of pulley wheels is removably affixable to either two spaced opposite points on the track device at the other end of the track device or two spaced opposite points on the carriage. The pulley wheels guide the length of cord along intermediate sections thereof.

The carriage comprises a frame, a fixed seat section substantially stationarily affixed to the frame and a selectively positionable seat section movably mounted on the frame adjustable from a position substantially coplanar with the fixed seat to a position in angular relation with the fixed seat whereby it serves as a back rest for the user.

The track comprises a pair of spaced substantially parallel track members. Each of the track members has a pair of sections of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section in telescoping slidable relation with each other. Fasteners releasably affix the sections to each other in selected relation to each other. The carriage has wheels rotatably affixed to the frame and rollable on the track members.

The foot resting means comprises a foot resting member extending between and substantially perpendicular to the track members and a foot rest control device for selectively positioning the foot resting member at desired angles and distances relative to the plane of the track members.

The elevating device comprises a pair of support parts. Each of a pair of substantially tubular members is affixed to a corresponding one of the track members and each accommodates a corresponding one of the support posts in slidable relation. Fasteners releasably affix each of the support posts to the corresponding one of the tubular members in selected relation to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise device of the invention with the carriage removed from the tracks for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a view, taken along the lines II--II, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view, taken along the lines IV--IV, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view, partly in section and on an enlarged scale, taken along the lines V--V, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the lines VI--VI, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the lines VII--VII, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the lines VIII--VIII, for FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view of the components of FIG. 8 in collapsed or folded condition;

FIG. 10 is a view of an embodiment of the cord device of the exercise device of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the cord device installed in one manner; and

FIG. 12 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the cord device installed in another manner.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exercise device of the invention comprises an adjustable variable length track device, generally indicated as 1 in FIG. 1, has one end 2 supportable on a supporting surface 3 and an opposite other end 4 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The track device 1 comprises a pair of spaced substantially parallel track members 5 and 6 (FIG. 1). Each of the track members 5 and 6 has a pair of sections 7 and 8, and 9 and 10, respectively (FIG. 1), of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, in telescoping slidable relation with each other.

Fastening devices releasably affix the sections 7 and 8 to each other and releasably affix the sections 9 and 10 to each other in selected relation to each other. The fastening devices comprise a plurality of spaced bores formed through a side of the section 7 and a bore formed through a corresponding side of the section 8, and a plurality of spaced bores formed through a side of the section 9 and a bore formed through a corresponding side of the section 10. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the section 7 has bores 11, 12, 13 and 14, not shown in the FIGS., but in alignment with a bore 15, formed through the section 8. As shown by broken lines in FIG. 3, the section 9 has bores 16, 17, 18 and 19 formed therethrough. The section 10 has a bore 20 formed therethrough, as shown in FIG. 5.

The fastening devices further comprise a pair of pins 21 and 22 (FIG. 1) each extending into a corresponding one of the bores 15 and 20 of the sections 8 and 10. Each of the pins 21 and 22, is spring-biased, so that it is urged into a bore of the corresponding one of the sections 7 and 9, respectively, thereby releasably securing the sections 7 and 8, and 9 and 10, in desired lengths. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the pins 21 and 22 has a ring 23 and 24, respectively, at its outer end to facilitate manual gripping thereof to insert and remove the pins and to facilitate the fastening of the pins to each other by a chain 25 so that they are not misplaced. The pin 22 is biased by a spring 26, as shown in FIG. 5, and may be movably housed in a housing 27 (FIG. 5). The pin 21 is similarly equipped.

An adjustable track elevating device, generally indicated as 28 in FIG. 1, is foldably affixed to the end 4 of the track device 1. The track elevating device 28 supports the end 24 of the track device 1 at a selected distance H (FIG. 3) above the supporting surface 3 thereby supporting the track device in angular relation with said supporting surface. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, track elevating device 28 supports the track device 1 so that the plane of the track members 5 and 6 is inclined at an angle A with the supporting surface 3.

The track elevating device 28 comprises a pair of support posts 29 and 30 (FIG. 1). A substantially tubular member 31 of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section is affixed to the track member 5, and more particularly, to the section 8 thereof, and accommodates the support post 29 in slidable relation (FIG. 1). A substantially tubular member 32 of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section is affixed to the track member 6, and more particularly, to the section 10 thereof, and accommodates the support post 30 in slidable relation (FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 9).

Fastening devices releasably affix the support posts 29 and 30 to the tubular members 31 and 32, respectively, in selected relation to each other. The fastening devices comprise a plurality of spaced bores formed through a side of the support post 29 and a bore formed through a corresponding side of the tubular member 31, and a plurality of spaced bores formed through a side of the support post 30 and a bore formed through a corresponding side of the tubular member 32. Thus, the support post 29 has a plurality of bores formed therethrough, (not shown in the FIGS.), and a tubular member 31 has a bore formed therethrough (not shown in the FIGS.). The support post 30 has bores 33, 34 and 35 formed therethrough and the tubular member 32 has a bore 36 formed therethrough as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The fastening devices further comprise a pair of pins 37 (not shown in the FIGS.) and 38 (FIGS. 8 and 9) each extending into a corresponding one of the bores through the tubular members 31 and 32, respectively. Each of the pins 37 and 38 is spring-biased, so that it is urged into a bore of the corresponding one of the support posts 29 and 30, respectively, thereby releasably securing the track members 5 and 6 at a desired distance above the supporting surface 3.

The support posts 29 and 30 are affixed to each other at their top ends 39 and 40, respectively, via a cross-member 41 (FIG. 1) and the tubular members 31 and 32 are affixed to each other via another cross-member 42 (FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 9), so that the support posts and tubular members move in unison and both track members 5 and 6 are supported at the same distance above the supporting surface 3.

The tubular members 31 and 32 are foldably affixed to the sections 8 and 10, respectively of the track members 5 and 6, respectively. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, projecting members 43 and 44 extend from the tops of the sections 8 and 10, respectively, at the ends 4 thereof. The tubular member 31 is hingedly affixed to the projecting member 43 via a hinge device 45 (not shown in the FIGS.). The tubular member 32 is hingedly affixed to the projecting member 44 via a hinge device 46 (FIGS. 3, 8 and 9).

When the support posts 29 and 30 support the track device 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the support posts and the tubular members 31 and 32 are maintained in substantially parallel relation with the projecting members 43 and 44, respectively, by the hinge devices 45 and 46. When the exercise device of the invention is folded, collapsed or disassembled for storage or transportation, as shown in FIG. 9, the support posts 29 and 30 are inserted into the sections 8 and 10, respectively, of the track members 5 and 6, respectively, and the tubular members 31 and 32 are maintained in substantially axial relation with said sections at substantially right angles with the projecting members 43 and 44, respectively, by the hinge devices 45 and 46.

A carriage 47 (FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6) is movably mounted on the track device 1 for supporting a user 48 (FIG. 3) in generally seated position, as shown in FIG. 3. The carriage 47 comprises a frame 49 (FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6) having a fixed seat section 50 and a fixed seat section 51 substantially stationarily affixed thereto (FIGS. 1 to 3). A selectively positionable seat section 52 (FIGS. 1 to 4) is movably mounted on the frame 49 and is adjustable from a position substantially coplanar with the fixed seats 50 and 51, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a position in angular relation with the fixed seats, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereby it serves as a back rest for the user 48.

The seat section 52 may be inclined in either direction (FIG. 3), so that the user 48 may elect to face up or down the inclined plane of the track device 1, as desired. The seat section 52 is maintained in the position shown in FIG. 3 or in the opposite position by four pairs of supporting arms 55a, 56a and 57a, 58a and 55b, 56b and 57b, 58b, as shown in FIG. 2, on opposite sides of the seat section.

The supporting arms 55a and 56a are pivotally affixed to each other at one end of each, as are the supporting arms 55b and 56b. The arm 55a is pivotally affixed at its other end to a side of the frame 49 and the arm 56a is pivotally affixed at its other end to a corresponding side of the seat section 52, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The supporting arms 55b and 56b are similarly affixed to each other and to the opposite side of the frame 49 and the seat section 52, as shown in FIG. 2. When the arms 55a and 56a and the arms 55b and 56b are in linear relation they snap into position and function as support struts for the seat section 52, as shown in FIG. 3. Otherwise, the arms 55a and 56a and 55b and 56b are freely pivotable relative to each other.

The supporting arms 57a and 58a are pivotally affixed to each other at one end of each, as are the supporting arms 57b and 58b. The arms 57a is pivotally affixed at its other end to the same side of the frame 49 as the arm 55a and the arm 58a is pivotally affixed at its other end to the same side of the seat section 52 as the arm 56a, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The supporting arms 57b and 58b are similarly affixed to each other and to the same side of the frame 49 and seat section 52 as the arms 55b and 56b. When the arms 57a and 58a and the arms 57b and 58b are in linear relation they snap into position and function as support struts for the seat section 52 at an equal and opposite angle to that shown in FIG. 3, such angle being the acute angle 180.degree. - B, wherein B is the obtuse angle of the seat section 52. Otherwise, the arms 57a and 58a and 58b are freely pivotable relative to each other. The arms 55a and 56a and 57a and 58a and the arms 55b and 56b and 57b and 58b are thus similar in structure and function.

The carriage 47 has wheels 59, 60, 61 and 62 (FIG. 2) rotatably affixed to the frame 49. The wheels 59 and 60 are rollable and roll on the track member 5. The wheels 61 and 62 are rollable and roll on the track member 6. Each of the wheels is flanged on either side, such as, for example, the outside, opposite to railroad stock wheels, to insure that the carriage remains on the track members.

A foot resting device, generally identified as 63 in FIG. 3, is mounted on the track device 1 and extends between the track members 5 and 6 in the area of the end 4 thereof. The user 48 seated on the carriage presses her or his feet against the foot resting device 63, as shown in FIG. 3, and propels herself or himself against her own weight along the track device 1 via the carriage 47 and by use of her leg and thigh muscles thereby exercising such muscles.

The foot resting device 63 comprises a foot resting member 64 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 7) extending between and substantially perpendicular to the track members 5 and 6. A foot rest control device selectively positions the foot resting member 64 at desired angles relative to the plane of the track members 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the foot rest control device comprises a first control member 65 of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section, pivotally affixed at one end 66 to the foot resting member 64, and a second control member 67 of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section, pivotally affixed at one end 68 to the section 8 of the track member 5. The second control member 67 is slidably mounted in the first control member 65, as shown in FIG. 7.

A fastening device releasably affixes the first and second control members 65 and 67 to each other in selected relation. The fastening device comprises a plurality of spaced bores 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74 formed through a side of the second control member 67 and a bore 75 formed through a corresponding side of the first control member 65 (FIG. 7). The fastening device further comprises a pin 76 extending into a selected bore of the second control member 67 via the bore 75 of the first control member 65. The pin 76 is preferably spring-biased in the manner of the pins 21 and 22, and preferably has a ring 77 (FIG. 7) at its outer end to facilitate manual gripping thereof to insert and remove the pin.

The ends of the track members 5 and 6 at the end 2 of the track device 1 are joined via a cross-connecting member 78 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Handles 79 and 80 (FIG. 1) are provided on handle arms 81 and 82, respectively (FIG. 1), extending from the member 78 to facilitate handling of the exercising device.

The components of the exercising device of the invention such as, for example, the track members 5 and 6, the support posts 29 and 30, the tubular members 31 and 32, the frame 49 of the carriage, the cross-members 41 and 42, the projecting members 43 and 44, the foot resting device 63, the handles 70 and 80, the handle arms 81 and 82, and so on, preferably consist of strong, lightweight metal such as, for example, aluminum, or the like.

A cord device comprises a length of cord 83 (FIGS. 10, 11 and 12) having a substantially center point 84 having a releasable clamp or hook 85 affixed thereto (FIG. 10). The center point 84 is removably affixable to either the carriage 47 via the clamp 85 and an eye bolt 86 affixed to the center of a side of the frame 49 of the carriage (FIGS. 2, 3, 11 and 12), or to the foot resting device 63 via said clamp and an eye bolt 87 affixed to the foot resting member 64 substantially half way between the track members 5 and 6 (FIGS. 1, 3, 11 and 12).

A handle 88 is affixed to one end 89 of the length of cord 83 and a handle 90 is affixed to the end 91 of length of cord (FIGS. 10, 11 and 12) for grasping by the user.

A pair of pulley wheels 92 and 93 are provided and each has a releasable clamp or hook 94 and 95, respectively, affixed thereto, as shown in FIG. 10. The pulley wheels 92 and 93 are removably affixable to either two spaced opposite points on the track device 1 at the end 4 thereof via the clamps 94 and 95, respectively, and eye bolts 96 and 97, respectively, affixed to the projecting members 43 and 44, respectively (FIGS. 1, 11 and 12), or to two spaced opposite points on opposite sides of the frame 49 of the carriage 47 via said clamps and eye bolts 98 and 99, respectively, affixed to said frame (FIGS. 2, 11 and 12). The pulley wheels 92 and 93 guide the length of cord 83 along intermediate sections 100 and 101 thereof (FIG. 10).

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An exercise device, comprising

adjustable variable length track means having one end supportable on a supporting surface and an opposite other end;

adjustable variable track elevating means foldably affixed to the other end of the track means supporting said other end of said track means at a selected distance above the supporting surface thereby supporting the track means in angular relation with the supporting surface;

carriage means movably mounted on the track means for supporting a user in generally seated position; and

foot resting means mounted on and extending between the track means in the area of the other end thereof whereby a user seated on the carriage means presses his feet against the foot resting means and propels himself against his own weight along the track means via the carriage means and by use of every major muscle group in his body thereby exercising such muscles.

2. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising cord means comprising a length of cord having a substantially center point removably affixable to a selected one of the carriage means and the foot resting means, a pair of handles each affixed to a corresponding one of the ends of the length of cord for grasping by the user and a pair of pulley wheels each removably affixable to a selected one of two spaced opposite points on the track means at the other end of said track means and two spaced opposite points on the carriage means, the pulley wheels guiding the length of cord along intermediate sections thereof.

3. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage means comprises frame means, a fixed seat section substantially stationarily affixed to the frame means and a selectively positionable seat section movably mounted on the frame means adjustable from a position substantially coplanar with the fixed seat to a position in angular relation with the fixed seat whereby it serves as a back rest for the user.

4. An exercise device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the track means comprises a pair of spaced substantially parallel track members, each of the track members having a pair of sections of substantially hollow rectangular cross-section in telescoping slidable relation with each other and fastening means for releasably affixing the sections to each other in selected relation to each other, and wherein the carriage means has wheels rotatably affixed to the frame means and rollable on the track members.

5. An exercise device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the foot resting means comprises a foot resting member extending between and substantially perpendicular to the track members and foot rest control means for selectively positioning the foot resting member at desired angles and distances relative to the plane of the track members.

6. An exercise device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elevating means comprises a pair of support posts, a pair of substantially tubular members each affixed to a corresponding one of the track members and each accommodating a corresponding one of the support posts in slidable relation and fastening means for releasably affixing each of the support posts to the corresponding one of the tubular members in selected relation to each other.